scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts
Episodes
Catch crops, cleaner freshwater (SS)
09 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The nitrate debate is a hot topic in Aotearoa New Zealand. Farmers need efficient methods to mop up excess nitrogen and reduce leaching from our soils...
Journey from Zimbabwe (SLFM)
21 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Emmanuel Chakwizira a crop scientist at Plant & Food Research talks to Nicola Sullivan about his fascinating journey from a family farm in Zimbabwe to...
A whole new world of data (SS)
23 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Hilary Irelands talks to Data scientist Dr Peter McAtee about eliminating noisy data, his work implementing machine learning methodologies ...
Inside an interesting insect career (SLFM)
09 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Entomology Research Associate Sophie Hunt talks about her journey into science, her career in insect rearing and biocontrol research, and how insects ...
A lifetime of magnifying the opportunities (SLFM)
25 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Microscopy has developed hugely in the last 40 years, becoming a vital tool for learning more about all living things. In this episode of Scigest, w...
Spiders in, leafroller out – a success in biocontrol (BIOSECURITY)
18 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand's main fruit industries depend upon producing high-quality, residue-free crops for export with a very low incidence of pest damage. In t...
How an old idea sparked a new science career (SLFM)
20 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How does an organism without a brain make decisions? What do kiwifruit and an orchestra have in common? Do PhD students really sleep? Today Dr Jay Jay...
The good rap on viruses (SS)
01 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The world is currently saturated with news about the negative effects of viruses but viruses can also be beneficial and, in fact, are vital to the exi...
A plant microbiome, it’s a whole new world (SS)
17 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Plants aren’t just plants. Like animals, they are hosts to a large and complex community of other living organisms, like fungi and bacteria, that ca...
FROM THIS LAND: COVID episode 5 (ID)
07 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
COVID unleashed a world of risk, frustration and delay for development agencies and those they partner with. But amongst the carnage, has the response...
FROM THIS LAND: travelogue episode 4 (ID)
07 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The team fly south to the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh to see how farmers, designers, scientists and business owners are working together to grow safe...
FROM THIS LAND: travelogue episode 3 (ID)
07 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How to persuade and train thousands of North Cambodian farmers to ditch rice and grow a range of higher value crops instead? To find out we’ll meet ...
FROM THIS LAND: travelogue episode 2 (ID)
07 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Wara, Suzie and Phil head north to the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The attraction? An audacious bid by local firm Sam Agritech to become their count...
FROM THIS LAND: travelogue episode 1 (ID)
07 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 1. Vietnam: Where giant strides are happening in growing and breeding the Asian delicacy – Dragon Fruit. New Zealand taxpayer money has e...
Growing peanuts in New Zealand (SS)
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Peanut plants are a rare item in New Zealand even though we are big fan either as a snack or as peanut butter. But is that about to change? This week ...
The evolution of a data scientist (SLFM)
06 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Science has always been about collecting data and with the new data collection technologies today we can collect a massive amount. This all needs to b...
The smell conversation (BIOSECURITY)
18 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Insects, animals, plants all use the power of smell to communicate or facilitate reproduction. These smell chemicals are called semiochemicals and tod...
Never too late (SLFM)
31 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Hilary Ireland is the latest addition to our scigest roster. She gets a taste of the hot seat when she shares her science journey as a late bloomer wi...
Not your spin doctor (SLFM)
16 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How to make science stand out in an age of information overload? In a reversal of roles scientist Tom Saunders interviews Communications Manager Emma ...
Revisiting myrtle rust (BIOSECURITY)
22 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Rob Beresford returns to scigest with an update on the latest myrtle rust developments this summer in New Zealand and what we know about the fungal...
Taking off the "girl shoes" (SLFM)
27 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After 30 years at Plant & Food Research and its predecessors, Philippa Stevens is ready for the OE she never had (after Covid)! The soon-to-retire Gro...
Fish oil or snake oil? (SB)
21 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Fat in food generally gets a bad rap, but fish oil is one of the edible oils that are often associated with health benefits for its high content of om...
The white light for listeria (SITK)
23 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Food safety is something we don't really think about until we get a case of an upset stomach. It is however a constant and crucial issue for the supp...
A kiwifruit legacy (SLFM)
04 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we speak to Dr Ross Ferguson, an internationally recognized expert on the biology of kiwifruit. Ross's work helped to develop New Zealand's succ...
Unlocking the power of smell (SS)
12 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As humans, our sense of smell tells us a lot about our surroundings and whether something is potentially good or harmful. Dr Melissa Jordan is an olfa...
Friend or foe? (BIOSECURITY)
20 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Harlequin ladybird is a recent arrival in New Zealand but growers of major crops have already formed a love-hate relationship with it. Dr Dave Bellamy...
The slow attack of the guava moth (SLS)
01 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever cut open a home-grown feijoa and found rotten brown patches inside? Chances are it was caused by guava moth, an exotic pest from Austral...
Going South... for the better (SLFM)
17 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Entomologist Dr Dave Bellamy was a hot dog vendor, high school science teacher and USDA postharvest researcher. Until two years ago, the US-born scien...
Street scientist (and diplomat) (SLFM)
17 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For 25 years Dr Charles Dwamena has made New Zealand home. While he is a scientist working on boosting the colour and nutrient content of fruit in the...
Think like a thrips (SS)
27 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Entomologist Jessica Vereijssen is looking for Integrated Pest Management solutions for thrips on strawberry orchards. To make the environment less de...
Gold rush (SS)
09 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Phil Elmer calls himself a "magpie" that collects interesting microorganisms with potential. One of the yeast samples that he collected from aprico...
The apprentice scientists (SLFM)
21 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Michelle Joeng and Karangawai Paringatai-Hare worked alongside Plant & Food Research scientists as student researchers last summer. They give us a rev...
A conversation with Nano Girl (SMAS)
04 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're back with another chat with Dr Michelle Dickinson, host of the new science show "Breaking It Down" on TVNZ. In this extended episode, we cover a...
Breed like fish (SB)
16 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Seafood breeding and plant breeding have a lot in common. Dr Maren Wellenreuther is harnessing plant breeding knowledge to increase the growth rate an...
Forty-six years and counting (SLFM)
02 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Brent Clothier has had the same job for 46 years, but there is never a dull moment. The prolific soil and water scientist received the Science New ...
Six legs good? Integrated pest management for arable farms (SS)
18 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Are all insects pests? Is it possible to manage the baddies without wiping out the goodies on a paddock or farm scale? Melanie Davison from Plant & Fo...
Order in the chaos (SLFM)
05 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Nick Albert is the recipient of the Science New Zealand Plant & Food Research Early Career Researcher Award 2019, but his science journey hasn't al...
Nano Girl: an origin story (SLFM)
14 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How did a shy nanotechnologist acquire the superpower to transform into Nano Girl? Is a phone booth involved? Dr Michelle Dickinson tells us how she o...
All roads lead to science (SLFM)
31 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Research associate Jung Cho recounts his bumpy road from being a disinterested student almost failing his uni studies and disappointing his immigrant ...
Drones breeding like flies (SS)
21 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How can we improve pollination of field crops and reduce costs? This week we talk with Brad Howlett a scientist from Plant & Food Research and Phil Ro...
SciFri#2: Insect apocalypse - myth or reality? (SCIFRI)
26 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Is the world's insect population actually going down or have we just learnt to jog with our mouths shut? Our scifi panel takes on the "insect apocalyp...
Regenerative Ag - building soil quality (SS)
13 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
How does farm management influence soil physical, chemical and biological properties? Regenerative farmer Simon Osborne joins Plant & Food Research's ...
The vine doctor (SLFM)
22 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dion Mundy talks about his journey as a viticultural scientist. Growing up on a vineyard, Dion's science career has encompassed studies in ecophyiolog...
Kaitiaki (guardian) of New Zealand's natural treasures (SLFM)
04 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jessica Rodrigues chats with Dr Nick Waipara (Rongawhakaata, and Ngāti Ruapani ki Turanga), a Senior Scientist at Plant & Food Research who has spent...
Mastering metabolites (SLFM)
11 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week Blue Plunkett talks with scientist Andrew Dare about his journey to become a molecular biologist. Andrew talks about his special interest in...
Can plant-based foods be more than tofu? (SS)
26 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this special edition recorded at the Horticulture Conference 2019, Plant & Food Research GM Science Food Innovation Jocelyn Eason, NZ's first ever ...
SciFri #1: What is natural? (SCIFRI)
13 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Hi all, this week researchers Andrew Dare, Blue Plunkett, Jay Jayaraman and Tom Saunders will update you on a range of news topics: "lungs" in plants,...
A lesson from Europe (BIOSECURITY)
24 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We sit down with Italian Brown Marmorated Stink Bug expert Professor Claudio Ioriatti during his event-packed recent visit to New Zealand. He shares f...
Never miss a beat (BIOSECURITY)
30 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The traditional way of trapping and counting invasive insects gets old really fast. Biosecurity Research Associate Taylor Welsh has engineered a trapp...
A lifetime in science (SLFM)
05 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Take a walk down memory lane with recently retired Principal Scientist Dr Nigel Larsen. The Science NZ Plant & Food Research Lifetime Achievement Awar...
It's not just dirt! (SS)
29 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Soil scientist Trish Fraser talks about what soil actually is (hint: not just dirt) and the importance of soil in the environment and for our primary ...
The good, the bad and the downright annoying (SLS)
03 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Not all wasps are created equal. The majority are an important part of our environment in New Zealand, and wasp protein could be the next big thing fo...
Science travels (SLFM)
14 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week Blue Plunket talks to well travelled post-doctoral scientist Dr Mohamad Al Hassan. Originally from Lebanon, Dr Al Hassan did his Masters in ...
Uncorking the science of climate change and wine (TOD)
08 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand is blessed with high UV but moderate temperature, which gives our world renowned white wine a signature fresh, lively and green flavour. ...
Experience, enthusiasm and empathy (SLFM)
22 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Prof. Juliet Gerrard tells her story of how her interest in science began and how she developed skills in industry, academia and now as the Prime Mini...
Tact, fact and balancing acts (SMAS)
21 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss the tricky job of being the New Zealand Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor with Prof. Juliet Gerrard. Join our scigest hosts Andrew, Je...
From elephants to entomology (SLFM)
21 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Applied entomology scientist Jacqui Todd talks about her academic journey into her career, her love of all animals which led to a change in science di...
"Misandry" in kiwifruit breeding? (SLFM)
21 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Emerging kiwifruit scientist Dr Sarah Pilkington talks about how her genetic research that eliminates unproductive male kiwifruit vines can improve ki...
Understanding myrtle rust in New Zealand (BIOSECURITY)
13 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Myrtle rust - it's been in the news a lot since it was first found in New Zealand in 2017 and could have a major effect on some of our native trees. ...
Blossoming career, budding family (SLFM)
30 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Can you rise up the ranks in science and be an involved parent at the same time? In a follow-up podcast, Science Group Leader Jill Stanley shares not ...
Defying boundaries for fruitful outcomes (SLFM)
18 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Jill Stanley recounts her remarkable journey from a keen high school student to her current role as Science Group Leader of Fruit Crops Physiology ...
Climate change and your shopping trolley (SITK)
01 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Environmental scientist Dr Brent Clothier joins us in the kitchen today for a second episode on climate change. Find out how you, as a consumer, can v...
Owairaka District School, invertebrates with room 8 - part 3 (AMA)
17 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to part 3 and our last Ask Me Anything podcast from students in Room 8, Owairaka District school in Mt Albert, Auckland. Our scientist answeri...
Growing with climate change (SS)
03 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When climate change becomes imminent, what can growers do to adapt to extreme weather events to sustain their production or even thrive in the new nor...
Owairaka District School, invertebrates with room 8 - part 2 (AMA)
24 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Part 2 of a 3 part Ask Me Anything podcast series with questions from students in Room 8, Owairaka District school in Mt Albert, Auckland. ...
Future foods: all about choice and balance (SS)
23 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
How can New Zealand prepare for the shifting global protein demands as the flexitarian diet becomes more mainstream? For the first time on Scigest, we...
Owairaka District School, invertebrates with room 8 - part 1 (AMA)
05 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Part 1 of our very first Ask Me Anything podcast with questions from students in Room 8, Owairaka District school in Mt Albert, Auckland. O...
Unripe grapes, a ripe area for research (TOD)
27 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Scientist Emma Sherman talks about her recent publication titled "Impact of Grape Maturity and Ethanol Concentration on Sensory Properties of Washing...
Finding the right chemistry in collaboration and wine (SLFM)
19 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Emma Sherman, a soon-to-be PhD graduate from the University of Auckland, describes how a passion for chemistry, collaboration and exploration have hel...
Growing passion into a career (SLFM)
26 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
University of Auckland Ph.D. student, Tom Saunders, recounts his experiences of diversity in science, love at first sight (with a parasitoid wasp), an...
Seafood chowdown (SB)
05 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week seafood is on the menu as we drop a line to fish scientist Dr Esme Robinson in Lincoln to find out if snapper have bubbly personalities, how...
Leading science (SLFM)
17 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Chief scientist at Plant & Food Research, Richard Newcomb, talks about his science career journey from a young bug collector to leading the science. R...
Kicking up a stink (BIOSECURITY)
03 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we talk to entomologist Gonzalo Avila about the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. This bug that has been intercepted at New Zealand ports ca...
The science of Amarasate (SS)
19 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We talk this week to Dr Edward Walker one of the lead scientists involved in discovering Amarasate™. Amarasate is a natural extract of New Zealand h...
Choosing your path (SLFM)
12 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Molecular biology postdoctoral scientist and new mum Dr Jessica Rodrigues, talks about her journey into science, the choices and opportunities that ar...
Waiter, there are enzymes in my food (SITK)
04 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dr William 'Kiwifruit' Laing discusses the many powers of enzymes and describes some of the enzyme actions that we may come across in our kitchen
The ripe stuff (SITK)
16 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In pursuit of perfectly ripe produce - what is ripeness anyway?
The road to science (SLFM)
01 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Research associate, Scigester and mini monster truck enthusiast Blue Plunkett talks about his journey into science, the importance of science communic...
Pest free fruit and the weevil genius (BDIS)
15 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we talk to insect scientist Dr Sam Brown about the never ending battle to keep NZ fruit exports free of insect hitchhikers. We also de...
Bitten by the science bug (SLFM)
31 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Bio-protection postdoctoral scientist, Jay Jayaraman, discusses his science journey and the 'bang for buck' potential of plant science discoveries
It is a science life for me! (SLFM)
17 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Swapping microphones for this podcast, research associate and scigester Brogan McGreal talks about her journey into science and some tips for those th...
At home in the lab (SLFM)
21 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Research Technologist and 'scigester' Di Brewster discusses her career path, the opportunities available to budding scientists, and the thrill of unlo...
The science business (SLFM)
07 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
It's not all about the lab. A science career can mean finding new business opportunities for science and managing science projects. As Business Analys...
The phosphite fight back (BIOSECURITY)
23 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Ian Horner discusses Kauri dieback disease and his research to help save the iconic, taonga species.
Plant v pathogen (BIOSECURITY)
08 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Weapons, surveillance, covert operations and sabotage. Hear from Dr Jo Bowen on how her research is helping the plant outfox the pathogen.
Scigest trailer (T)
31 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A short trailer on the Scigest podcast channel
Cloning super sensors (BDIS)
02 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Manufacturing electronic sensors that harness the super-sensory capacity of insects: Dr Andrew Kralicek is designing new sensing equipment for biosecu...
Meet the scigesters (SS)
02 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A chatty introduction to the scigest team - who we are, the science we do, what we think about science in society, and a bit about Blue's car. ...